New dioramas will let visitors see birds, insects and animals in more natural settings, and a stuffed tahr by the entrance awaits a pat.
Registrar of natural sciences Cody Fraser said the tahr had been bought especially so visitors could feel its coarse hair.
Ms Fraser said she had been visiting the museum since she was a child and was delighted her old favourites, such as the interactive insect display, had been retained alongside the new displays.
She had loved the insect display since she was "old enough to reach the buttons" but said she could not pick a favourite exhibit from the new-look galleries.
"I like all of it, especially the new dioramas - they're more natural.
"There are all sorts of small exciting things."
The popular wasps nest exhibit has been moved to a cabinet suspended from the ceiling, and a new display of live frogs and slaters (woodlice) has been housed in specially built tanks.
Marketing co-ordinator Cathryn Edwards said the revamped galleries were more user-friendly and had a local focus.
"Now, it's all Otago wildlife, set out in their own ecosystems." - Lisa Holland.
